Jeff Friesen's biography explains that "it’s hard to make sense of living in a big country. Maybe that’s where the sea-to-sea travel urge comes from." He says Canada is big enough to hide mountain ranges and that as far away from each other as we are, we are all connected. "How does one flag wrap around all of this?" he asks.

Like many Canadians, and Americans, he has crossed the country but unlike most of us he has done this by 'train'. Not just any train. As he says; "I carry the train rather than it carrying me. It fits into a shopping bag from Mountain Equipment Co-Op."

Streamliner, full sized c. 1955This is the Santa Fe version

The vintage model train featured in Friesen's photography series called "The Canadian" is just two inches tall, and was created by Jason Shron of Rapido Trains. Friesen took his photos in places across the country and became the focus of a lot of curiosity among the travelers he encountered. To them he says: "For all of you who have come across me working on this project and offered many kind words I hope you enjoy the finished photographs."

Beginning east to west, here is a selection of photos from his journey so far.